Phrases › Making Phone Calls › Lascio un messaggio in segreteria.

Lascio un messaggio in segreteria.

I'll leave a voicemail.

Pronunciation

Stress 'se-gre-te-RI-a'. 'Messaggio' = mes-SAG-gio.

When to use it

Use this when you're about to leave a voicemail message. In Italy, voicemail ('segreteria telefonica') is still used, though WhatsApp voice messages are increasingly preferred.

What it means

'Segreteria telefonica' = voicemail (literally 'telephone secretary'). 'Lasciare un messaggio in segreteria' = to leave a voicemail. When the voicemail message starts in Italian, you'll typically hear: 'Lasciate un messaggio dopo il segnale acustico' (Leave a message after the tone).

Variations

Non risponde. Vado in segreteria.

There's no answer. Going to voicemail.

Describing what happened.

Ho lasciato un messaggio in segreteria.

I left a voicemail.

Reporting that you did it.

Non uso più la segreteria. Preferisco WhatsApp.

I don't use voicemail anymore. I prefer WhatsApp.

Modern Italian preference.

Mini Dialogue

— Ha risposto? — No, sono andato in segreteria. Gli ho lasciato un messaggio. — Gli hai detto di richiamarti? — Sì, ho lasciato il mio numero.

— Did they answer? — No, went to voicemail. I left them a message. — Did you tell them to call you back? — Yes, I left my number.

Cultural Note

Italian voicemail messages ('messaggi in segreteria') are a cultural art form — Italians tend to leave detailed, conversational voicemails rather than brief ones. However, young Italians under 35 overwhelmingly prefer WhatsApp voice messages ('messaggi vocali') over traditional voicemail, considering it more immediate and personal.

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